Drink

Just give me a second… I’m still trying… to recover… from a monumentally huge geekasm… *shudders in ecstasy and harasses the domestic worker to clean underwear faster*.

In what has to be one of the coolest fictional-television-reality-tie-ins ever conceived, HBO have actually created the Tru Blood drink, from the award winning Alan Ball television series, True Blood.

I mean… how bloody brilliant is that? Excuse the pun.

For those who are unfamiliar with the television series, Tru Bloodis a Japanese made synthetic drink which allows vampires to survive without feasting on the blood of humans or animals; thus allowing vampires to live ‘harmoniously’ alongside the human race.

In order to make the drink ‘consumable’ for the general public, HBO have modified the drink for human consumption. As such, Tru Blood is essentially a carbonated blood-orange drink. Thankfully, the drink is packaged like its televised counterpart and, according to the website, is “not overly sweet, slightly tart and lightly carbonated”.

Truthfully I would have loved it if they had kept the viscosity of the liquid to resemble that of the blood used in the show. Even better, if you could microwave it to enrich the taste. Unfortunately, that appears to be asking to much, because, from what I can tell given the videos on YouTube, the drink is just a dark red coloured soft drink. Not that I am complaining, but it does detract from the authenticity of the product.

Regardless I, for one, would love to get my hands on this hemoglobin inspired delight. So much so, that I am even thinking of importing a case… or five. However, at the current exchange rate, the drinks may suck the life out of my recession burdened wallet, with a four-pack costing $16 (R125) and individual bottles a mere $5 (38).

Nevertheless, I do believe that I will be acquiring some Tru Blood in the very near future. So make sure to tune in again for my neck bitingly tasteful review.

About a month ago, Saturday 1st August 2009, I organised a tour of the South African Breweries. I had heard many good opinions about it and figured that it would be something fun to do. At least something different. In my opinion, getting ‘stuck in a rut’ is quite a sad state of affairs. Unfortunately, that is the trap that many people I know often end up falling into. Hence my constant drive to organise and participate in a variety of activities and events.

It should be noted, that I am truly not a big alcohol drinker. Partly because I do not see the appeal in losing my self-control through inebriation. Unlike most, I do not need a ‘relaxing’ agent in order to have fun or to lower my inhibitions. That just comes naturally. So it was quite a surprise to some that I would be organising a tour of the South African Breweries (SAB).

However, just because someone does not drink beer or alcohol, does not mean that they would not enjoy the tour of the breweries. All one needs is an inquisitive mind. After all, SAB produce 90 percent of the consumable drinks available in South Africa, from bottled water, to beer, to fruit juices and sodas.

When I made the booking, for the World of Beer tour , I really had no idea what it would be like. Other than the fact that the admission price included two free SAB produced drinks per person. Any kind of drink, I might add. Considering the admission price was only R25, I was not expecting much. I kind of figured that we would most likely just see how beer was made and perhaps taste test a few brands. I could not have been more mistaken.

The World of Beer tour ‘literally’ blew away every expectation I had. Seriously.

Not only does the tour encompass the full history of beer throughout the ages, from the times of he Egyptians all the way to the globalisation of various brews, but it also includes:

a virtual guide, taste testing of ancient and modern variants of beer, a 3D Cinema adventure,

and finally a 180 degree-sense-encompassing-theatre which showcases the entire South African beer industry.

All this, including any two free SAB made drinks, for just R25. Yes, that is right folks… ONLY R25! Well smack me sideways and call me Susan! The value for money is absolutely insane! I can honestly say that the World of Beer tour is, without a doubt, some of the most fun a person can have for less money than a single movie ticket. Furthermore, it is also an excellent tourist destination. If you have friends from abroad, take them for the World of Beer tour, they will not be disappointed (there is also a gift shop that they will love)!

In addition to the tour, visitors may also eat at the restaurant which makes surprisingly good food. However, it is important to note that that each person is only allowed to drink the two free provided drinks. They do not sell drinks at the restaurant or anywhere else at the World of Beer venue. This is an annoyingly small detail which the staff neglect to inform visitors about. So do not go thirsty or expecting to get ‘sozzled’.

Ultimately the SAB World of Beer tour is a fantastic experience and very wallet friendly – an absolute saving grace with regards to the current economic recession. I can heartily recommend the experience to all.

About me

Hi, I'm Hans. A Ludologist by education; writer, marketer and ecommerce curator by trade; foodie by nature; and a tech, gadget and gamer geek in my spare time. This blog is where I share my personal thoughts on almost everything and anything.